Thermostatic control mechanism



M y 1 2- E. L. FQNSECA 57, 37.

I THERMOSTATIC CONTROL MECHANISM I Filed Aug. 6. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 27. a za 45 y 1932- Y E. 1.. FONSECA 1,857,187

TKEFKMOSTATIC CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Aug. 6. 19 2 Sheets-:Sheet 2 Patented May 10, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWARD L. FONSECA, OF NEWABK, NEW JERSEY, AS SIG-NOR TO THE WILCOLATOB COMPANY, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE THERMOSTATIC CONTROL MECHANISM Application filed August a, 1923 Serial No. 383,804.

This invention relates to thermostatic controllers adapted particularly for controlling the temperature within the oven of a gas stove.

In such thermostatic controllers as initially exploited in this country, the casing for the thermostatically-actuated control valve of the instrument was a large, expensive, and

unsightly elementof'the structure mountedon the outside of the oven and considerable exposed piping was required to make the connections for leading fuel to and from the casing. 'In my early work in this art, the un-. sightliness of such structures and of theaccessories used for their installation seemed to me to be highly objectionable, and I appreciated the possibility of disposing a substantial portion of the thermostatic mechanism within the oven between the inner and outer oven walls. Instruments of this type developed by me have been on the market for some time under the name of Wilcolators and have become widely known as thermostatic devices of'the concealed type.

The instruments above referred to included a thermostatic element in the form of a bimetallic strip and followingthe commercial exploitation of such concealed type regulators, designers of similar instruments in which the thermostatic element takes the form of a rod and tube endeavored to construct their controllers in such manner as to derive the advantages offered by the concealed type of instrument. Such efforts have i met with but limited success, sincein some removing the fuel pipesto which the casing.

is directly attached.

The present invention relates -to an improved form of a thermostatic controller of therod and tube type wherein all of the advantages of the concealedtype of instrument employing a thermostatic strip are attained.

In this new controller the only part of the mechanism of substantial size which is on the outside of the oven wall is the operating handle by which adjustment to-the desiredtemperature is secured. .The casing for the regulating valve is inside the oven wall as are also the pipes by which the fuel is carried to and from the casing on opposite sides of the valve. With this construction all of the advantages of ready removability of the holds the handle of the instrument in place is withdrawn and a single screw within the oven WlllCl'l malntalns the casing in place 1s withdrawn, whereupon all of the parts of the instrument proper may be detached from the oven wall and removed through the oven door.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 3 is a sectional viewon the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional views on the lines H and 55 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 66 of Fig. 4. g

The controller is illustrated as mounted on the wall 10 of an oven and the instrument includes many features of construction set forth and described in myco-pending application Serial No. 322,110, filed November 27, 1928, although it is to be understood that other w Fig. 1 is a sectional view of the improved types of control valve and thermostatic operating means therefor may be substituted for those shown in the prior application.

Disposed inside the'oven is a cup-shaped casing member 11 provided with a boss 12.

.Mounted in the open end of this boss is a tube 13 of expansible material closed at its outer end by a cap 14. Within the tube is a rod-15 of relatively non-exp ansible material, this rod bearing at its outer end against a disc 16 in thecap 14, which disc provides a bearing surface. The rod extends through the boss into an opening in the boss 19 of a disc valve 20,

which valve has a circumferential knife edge bearing against a seat 21 formed in the interior of the member 11. One end of the abutment block is provided with screw threads, indicated at 22, and threaded thereon is an adjustment piece 23 provided with a forked extension 24 which straddles a pin 25 extending inwardly from one wall of the casing memberll. The valve 20 is freely movable on the abutment member 18- and is held with its boss in engagement with one end of the adjustment piece by means of a spring 26 hearing against one face of the boss and also against a cover 27 threaded into the member 11 and closing the open end thereof. The cover 27 has a hollow boss 28 extending through a suitable opening in the oven wall, this boss providing a mounting for an adjustment rod29, having at its inner end a key 30 which fits in a slot in the end of the'abutment block 18. The inner wall of the boss is tapered to form a seat 31 for a tapered flange on the inner end of the rod 29 and the flange is held in engagement with the seat by a spring32 which surrounds the rod and bears atone end against the recessed endof the boss 28 and at the other against a plate 33 mountedin a circumferential channel in the rod 29.

On the outer end of the rod 29 is' a block 34 carrying a disc 35, the block bearing against a shoulder 36 on the rod The d1sc '35 is provided with a pair of openings in'wh ch are received lugs 37 on a disc 38 of lnsulatmg material, this disc being held in pos1t1on by means of a washer 39 held in place by a screw 40 which enters the end of the rod 29. The

disc 35 is provided with a circumferential flange 41 on which is mounted a band 42 carrying a temperature scale, and "the band is provided with a stop 43 which is adapted to.

engage a pointer 44 on a disc 45. This disc has a central opening defined by a flange 46 and it is mountedon the outer wall of the oven-by means of a screw 47 with its flange 46 entering the opening in the oven wall and with the boss 28 on the cover 29 extending through the opening inthe disc.

With this arrangement, rotation of the disc 38 results in the rod 29 being turned and through the slot and key connection, the abutment block is similarly moved. The abutment block is threaded in or out of the adjustment piece 34 which is prevented from rotating with the-abutment by means of the forked extension 24 and pin 25. Rotational movement of the abutment block causes a longitudinalmovement of the adjustment piece ,45, the oven wall, and into the lug.

33 and a movement of the valve 20 with reference to the end of the rod 15. The greater the movement of the valve in a direction away from the endof the rod, the greater expansion of the tube 13 required before the valve will be seated by its spring 26; that is',the

higher the temperature that will be developed in the oven before the valve closes to shut off the supply of fuel.

Projecting downwardly from the casingmember 11 is an extension 48 in which are formed separate passages 49a, 49?), the lower ends of the passages being closed by plugs.

from the control mechanism are mounted inside the oven wall and threaded into the lower wall of a fitting 54. This fitting is in the form of 'a block having separate passages a and 55b therethrough and each pipe is in communication with one of the passages 55a, 55?), respectively. Through one face of the fitting, extend passages 56a, 56?) leadingto passages 55a, 555 respectively, each passage 56a, 56?) being in part defined by a flange 57 which is receivable into a flange 52 on the extension 48. The fitting and extension are secured together by means of a'bolt-or cap screw 58 which passes through an opening in the extension and isthreaded into the wall of the fitting between passages 56a and 566. This 'cap screw is accessible from the interior of the oven. The fitting is provided at its upper end with a lug 59, into which is threaded the screw 47 which passes through the disc Packing washers 60 are provided between the ends of the flanges 57 and their seats 52 in order to flmake the connections gas tight.

to connectthe passages 55a and 556. This passage has portions at right angles to each other and in one of said portions is formed a valve seat 62 against which bears the end of i a valve 63 threaded into an opening in the wall of the fitting. The fitting is provided with a flange 64 spaced from the projecting end 65 of the valve stem, and a cap 66 is threaded into the flangeto protect the end of the valve stem and prevent tampering therewith. The flange 64 extends through an opening in the oven wall so that the valve is accessible from outside the oven for adjustment.

It will be seen that in the arrangement described, the entire thermostatic control mechanism is wholly concealed with the exception the by-pass. The piping passes into the oven from beneath and runs up inside the oven wall to the fitting which is permanently at- 'means, said casing being detachably con-,

tached to theinner face of the ovenwall. The control casing for the regulator valve is detachably mounted inside the oven and is wholly concealed. i. a

This construction has numerous advantages in that it makes the gas stove much more sightly and reduces the cost of the apparatus, since in a device in which the valve casng and pipes are exposed these parts must be 'given'ahigh finish and are ordinarily nickel plated. In the present device, the valve casing, fittings, and pipe are all out of sight and, therefore, need not be given the high de-' gree of machining, which would otherwise be necessary, and need not be finished with special plating. In installing the device, the piping is threaded into the fitting and the latter is mounted in place against-the inner wall I of the oven. The disc 45" is then placed in tight connections between the-two.

. complete and ready for operation, the valvev position and the screw 47 turned in to hQltl the disc and fitting tightly against theoven wall. The controlcasi ng with the thermostatic element attached is then inserted into the oven through the oven door, placed in position againstthe fitting, and the cap screw 58 is then threaded in place to hold the easing tightly against the fitting andmake gasln placing the valve casing in position, the boss 28 on the cover ofthe casing and the adjusting rod are passed through the openings in the oven wall and disc 45, and the adjusting handle and its associated parts mounted in place on the outer end of the rod by means of the screw 40. The installation is now mechanism having been calibrated-before being installed. If for any reason it is necessary to'remove the valve casing and thermostatic clevice,'this is readily done simply by removing the screw 40. and taking off the handle,

' and thereafter unscrewing the cap screw 58,

whereupon the valve casing and thermostatic element may be removed bodily as a'unit through the interior of the oven. This removability of the valve casing and thermostatic element'does not disturb the piping in'-- stallation or the fitting 54., the latter elements remaining in place ready to have the casing re-connected theretoin the manner described.-

What I claim is: 1

o havmg an oven which comprises tem eratureresponsive means, fuel pipes, a tting to "which said pipes lead, and a casing containing a valve actuated by said means, said means,

pipes, fitting and easing being disposed inside the oven, and said casing being removposition.

2. A fuel controller for use on a gas stove having an oven which comprises tem eratureresponsive means, fuel pipes, a tting to which said pipes are connected, and a valve casing containing a valve actuated by said nected to said fitting, and said means, pipes, fitting'and casing being concealed inside the I oven.

3. fuel controller for use on agas stove having an oven wlnch comprises temperatureresponsive means and fuel pipes withln' said oven, a fitting to which said pipes lead, and

means within said oven actuated by said first means and controlling the flow of fuel through said pipes, both said means being removable while said pipes and fitting remain in position. v 1

4. A fuel controller for use on a gas stove having an oven which comprises temperature responsive means and fuelpipes within said responsive means and fuel pipes within said oven, a fitting to which said pipes lead, means within said oven actuated by said first means and controlling the flow of fuel through said pipes, both said means being removable while said pipes and fitting remain in position and. an operating handle for said control means disposed outside said oven. 7 m 6. A fuel controller for use onagas stove having an oven which comprises temperatureresponsivemeans, fuel pipes, a fitting to which said pipes lead, and control means actuated by said temperature-responsive means and controlling flow of fuel through said i es said tem erature-res onsive means 1 plpes, fitting and control means being disposed inside the oven with the control means removable while said pipes remain in position.

7-. A fuelcontroller for use on a gas stove having an oven which comprises temperatureresponsive means and fuel pipes within said oven, a fitting to which said pipes lead, a con-' trol device within said oven actuated by said means and controlling the flow of fuel through said pipes, said device being operatively conneeted-tosa-id' fitting and removable therefrom as 'a unit. 1. A fuel controller for use on a gas stove 8. A fuel controller for use on a gas stove having an oven whichv COIIIPIISGS. tempera ture-responsrve means and fuel pipes wltlun said oven, a fitting to which said pipesare connected, said fitting having separate passages therethrough to which said pipes lead, a control device withinsaid oven actuated by said means. and controllin the flow of fuel through'said pipes, sai device being detach-' ably connected to said fitting and having passages therein corresponding to those in said fitting. I

9. fuel controller for use on a gas stove having an oven which comprises tempera- ;ture-responsive means and fuel pipes within said'oven, a fitting receiving fuel from one pipe and delivering it to another, and a control device within said ovenactuated by said means for controlling the flow of fuel through said fitting, said device being removable as a unit while said fitting and pipes remain in position.

10. A fuel controller for use on a gas stove having an oven which comprises fuel pipes Within said oven, a fitting'to which said pipes are connected, a casing containing a thermostatically operated valve, said casing being disposed inside the oven and operatively and detachably connected to'said fitting.

11. A fuel controller for use on a gas stove having an oven which comprises fuel pipes within said oven, a fitting within said oven to which said pipes are c onnected,and.a casing'within said oven containing a thermostatically controlled valve for controlling flow of fuel, said casing being ope'ratively connected to said fitting to receive fuel there from on one side of said valve and deliver fuel'to said fitting from the other side of said valve, said casing being removable as a unit while-said fittlng and'pipes remain in pos1-' tion; i

12. In a gas stove having an oven, the

' combination ofa thermostatic valve casing fitting connecting said passages. v

. 14. In a thermostatic controller, the com- ,binationof a Ifitting having a pair of sepa inside the oven, an adjusting handletherefor outside theo'ven, and a by-pass connection around said valve having adjusting means accessible outside the. oven.

, 13. In a thermostatic controller, the'combination of a thermostatic valve casing, afitting having separate passages therethrough, said fitting being 'operatively connected to said casing, fuel pipes leadingto' said fit ting, and a controllable connection in said rate passages therethrough, a pair of fuel pipesconnected to' said fitting leading onev to each passage, and a by-pass connection in said fitting betweensaid passages, 'and' connecting means on said fitting separately communicating with said passages beyond the by-pass connection.

. 15. In. a gas stove having'an'oven, the

combination of a thermostatic-valve casing, ,a fitting to which 831d. cas ng is connected,

fuel pipesleading to said fitting, todeliver .fuel through the fitting to the casing on, one

side of the valve and receive fuel through the fitting from the casing on the other side of said valve,- and a by-pass connection in an operating handle outside the oven, a fitting within the oven delivering fuel to the casing atone side of the valve andreceiving it from said casing at the otherside of the valve, a

by-pass connection in said fitting around said valve, and means for controlling the bypass connection accessible outside the oven. 18. In a gas stove having an oven, a fitting inside the oven attached to the oven wall, fuel pipes inside the oven leading to said fitting,'and a thermostatic valve casing inside the oven connected to the fitting at a I point remote from said wall, said casing being removable from said fitting while the latter remains in position.

'19. In a gas stove having an oven, afitting inside the oven against the oven wall and attached thereto, fuel pipes inside the'oven leading to said fitting, a thermostatic valve casinginside the oven connected to the'fitting against a face remote from said wall, and an operating handle for the valve outside the.

oven wall.

, 20. In -a gas stove having an oven, a ther-- mostatic valve. casing, thermostatic means attached to sald 'casmg and actuating said valve,'a fitting connected to said casing,

fuel pipes leading to said fitting, said casing,

thermostatic means, fitting and pipes being. disposed within the oven, and said. casing -and-thermostatic means being removable as a unit while said pipes remain in position. p '21-. Ina gas stove'havmg an oven, .a therjmostatic valve caslng inside the oven, means L extending through the oven wall for adjusting the valve, conduit n1eansinside the oven for leading fuel to the-casing at one side of the valve and withdrawing from the casing at the other side of thegvalve,"a by-pass connection aroundthe valve, and means extending'through the oven wall and accessible outside the oven for regulating flow through said -by-pass. 22. In a gas fitting inside the oven secured with one face against the oven wall, said fitting having .separate passages therethroughf fuel pipes stovehaving an 0ven,'a thermo'static valve casing lnsid'e the oven, a

in the oven leadingoneto'each passage in "said fitting, means on" said casing and on-the face of said fitting remote from the' oven wall for leading fuel-from one passage to the casing at one-side of said valve and from of said valve, a control element for the valve extending through the casing wall in alignment with said valve and on the side of the valve opposite to that on which said means.

" lies, and an extension from said casing, said extension having a pair of openings lying on the same side of said valve as said control element. g

24. A fuel controller for use on a gas stove having an oven which comprisesjtemperatureresponsive means, a casing containing a valve actuated by said means, and. pipes for delivering fuel to said casing at one side of said valve and leading fuel-away from said casing at the other side'ofsaid valve, saidmeans, casing and pipes being'disposed inable while said pipes remainin position ated thereby to control the flow of fuel through said pipes, and a fitting to which said pipes lead and to which said device is connected, said thermostat, pipes, device, and fitting being disposed within the oven and Said device and thermostat being removable wh le said pipes and fitting remain in position.

29. A f'uel controller for use on a gas stove having anfoven which comprises a fitting havinggas passages, pipes leading to said fitting and communicating with said passages, a control device connected to the fitting and controlling flow-of'gas through said passages, a rod and tube thermostat connected to said device and operating it, a handle outside the oven operatively and removably connect ed through the oven wall to the device to regulate it, said fitting, pipes, device and side the oven, and said casing being remov thermostat being disposed within the oven and said device and thermostat being-removable into the interior ofthe oven while the fitt ng and pipes remain in-position. I

30. In athermostatic'contro-ller for use in gasstoves having an oven, the combination 3 of a fitting disposed inside the oven wall and having a pair of separate passages there- 25. A fuel controllerfor use on a gas stove having an oven which comprisestemperature-responsive means, a casing containing a valve actuated by said means, pipes for de-- livering fuel to said casing at one side ofsaid valve and leading fuel away from said casing at the other side of said. valve,said means,

casing andpipes beingdisposedinside the oven and said casing beingremovable while said pipes remain in position, and-means extending through the oven wall for controlling the operation of said valve.-

26. A fuel controller for use on a gas stove having an oven which comprises temperatu're-responsive means, fuelwpipes, ajfitting to which the pipes lead, and a casing'containmeans, pipes, fitting and casing being 'disthrough, a pair'offuel pipes connected to the fittingand leading one to each passage,

a bv pass connection in said fitting between V said passagesand means having an operating part exposed through an opening in the oven .wall forcontrolling flow through said connection. t

31. In a'thermostatic controller for use in.

gas stoves 'having an oven, the combination of a thermostatic valve casing, means for supplying fuel to the casing at one side, of the valve and withdrawing it at. the other side of the valvexsa d casing and means being disposed inside the ovn wall, a-hy-pass coning. a valve actuated by said means, said;

posed within the oven, and said casing and means being removable as a unit while said pipes and fitting remain in position. i 27. A. fuel controller for use on a gas stove having an oven which comprises temperature-responslve, means, fuel pipes, a fit-.

ting to whichthe pipes lead, a casing containing a valve actuated by said means, a shaft extending, through said casing and oven wall and operable to vary'thepesition' ofthe valve within" the casing, and a handle nection arbund said valve, and means oper- [able from outside the'oven for controlling flow throughsaid connection.

32; Inathe'rmostatic controller for usein .gas stoves having an oven", the combination of 7 a fitting disposed inside the'outer wall of the V oven-and having a pair of separate passages therethroug-h, a pa rof fuel pipesconnected to the fitting and leading one to each passage,

' a bv-pass connection in the fitting for per-1 removablv mounted on the shaft outside'the oven wall, saidqmeans pipes, fitting and easing. being disposed within the oven, and said casing and means be ng removable as' a unit while said pipes, and fitting remain in. position.

28.:A. fuel controller ,for use on .a gas stove having an oven which comprises a rod [and tube thermostat, fuel pipes, a c'ontrolde- ,vice connected to saidthermostatand ope1:

flow through said connection.

mittingflow from one passage totlie other,

an extensionfrom the fitting projecting through an opening in the oven wall, and 1 means mounted in said extension and operable from outside of the oven or controlling 33. In a gas stove havlng an oven,the combination of a casingcontaining a ,thermostatically operated valve, a fitting within the oven and communicating, witli'the casing, fuel. pines leadingto said fitting, a by-pass connection around said valve, said connec. tion lying within'the oven, and avalve having. a'portion projecting through the oven fuel conducting meansconcealed therein,heat

wall for controlling flow through said connection.

34. A thermostatic controller for use in a gas stove having an oven, which comprises a casing containinga'v valve, a fitting having passages therethrough, fuel pipes leading separately to the passages in said fitting, said casing, fitting and pipes being dis osed within the"oven, and said casing and tting being detach'ably connected, means in said casingfor leading gas from said passages to and from opposite sides of said valve,

' thermostatic means foroperating said valve,- and means for securing said fitting and cas ing together to bring said means into gastight relation to said passages.

35. In a thermostatic controller for use in a gas stove having an oven, a casing containing a valve and means for leading gas to and from opposite sides of said valve, a fit. ting having a pair of gas passages therethrough, fuel pipes leading separately to said passages, means'for detachably securing said fitting and easing together with said means communicatin with said passages in a gas tight fashion, and thermostatic means for operating saidvalve, said casing-fitting, pipes and ,thermostatic means being disposed within said oven with said casing removable while said fitting and pipes remain inplacea a 36. In a fuel control system, an-oven having responsive means within the oven, and a control casing for said heat responsive means also concealed in the oven and having direct detachable connection therein with the fuel heat responsive means having detachable conducting means, said casing being bodily removable from within the oven with said fuel conducting means in position.

37. In a fuel control system, an oven, a manifold having two longitudinal passag e-. ways thereingfor the flow of fuel therethrough in opposite directions to and from the control casing,. heat responsive means within the oven, and a control casing'for the connection with the upper end of the manifold, the said casing having a valve therein and having two passages provided therein- -,communicating with opposite sides of the valve, the onepassage in-said, casing communicating-wit'h the one passage of theman'i-v fold, and the other passage of the casing communicating with the other passage of the manifold when the casing is connected therewith.

38. In a fuel control system, an oven,a

manifold having two longitudinal passageways therein for theflow of fuel 'therethrough in opposite directions to and from the control casing, heat responsive means within the oven, a controlcasing for the heat responsive means, the same having a valve therein and having two passages provided therein communicating'with opposite sides of the valve and'arranged to e placed in communication with the corresponding passages of the manifold, the upper end of said manifold and the lower end of the control casing being conformed for direct engagement with each other for detachable coupling purposes whereby to place'the passages v of the manifold and casing in communication witheach'other, and means for fastening the manifold and easing portions together.

39. In a gas stove having an oven, the combination of temperature-responsive means within the oven, a valve actuated by said means, a casing for said valve disposed in side the oven wall, said casing having passages therein leading to opposite sides of the valve, fuel pipes inside the oven wall for leading fuel to and from the valve casing, a

fitting inside the oven wall attached to said pipes and having passages therethrough with which said pipescommimicate, said fit; ting and valve casing'being detachably connected with the passages in the fitting communicating with the passages in the casing,

-said casing and temperature-responsive means being removable while said fitting and pipe remain in place.

40. In a'gas stove having an oven, a-fuel controller which comprises temperature-responsive means, a valve casing disposed inside the oven wall and containing a fuel control valve actuated by said means, fuel pipes in 'side' the oven wall, and a fitting inside the oven wall to which said pipes lead, said fitting and casing being detachably connected with the casing removable while the fitting and means for securing said fitting and casing together, said means permitting detachment and removal of, said casing while the fitting and pipes remain in osition.,

In testimony whereof ,I a x mysi nature. EDWARDL. FONS CA. 

